Intraparenchymal Salivary Gland Corticosteroid Injection to Prevent Radiation-Induced Xerostomia

This study evaluates the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided intraglandular dexamethasone (corticosteroid) injections into the salivary glands of patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Primarily, to determine among patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT) as primary with or without chemotherapy for head and neck cancer, the feasibility of intraglandular corticosteroid injections to the salivary glands as measured by missed or delayed days of radiation therapy due to the planned intervention. Secondarily, to determine safety of intraglandular injections to the salivary glands as measured by the incidence of adverse events. Exploratory endpoints will also be tracked to determine, if among the same population, intraglandular corticosteroid injections are efficacious in minimizing the deleterious effects of radiation treatment to the salivary glands as measured by salivary flow rates and patient reported outcomes.